Corks were popping at the weekend as a Cleland couple celebrated 60 years of married life.
John and Grace Reid celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with a sparkling family party at Wishaw Golf Club and raised £1000 for charity at the same time.
The loving couple met early in 1962 while both were working in Cleland Hospital, John was an electrician there while Grace worked in the laundry.
Grace, who was 24,and John 27 at the time, are both born and bred in the village and went to the same school - Cleland Primary.
Now aged 84 and 87 respectively, they married in Cleland Church on September 29 that year following a relatively short courtship.
The hospital was to provide the backdrop to their early days together as they began married life within a stone’s throw of it.
“We met in the January and got married in September,” Grace recalled. “John already had his own house in Langbyres Road, off Bellside Road so that was our first home together.”
When they did eventually decide to move house they didn’t venture too far, just half a mile away to Nith Path.
In 1977 they moved back to within yards of their first marital home, to Bellside Road, where they remain until this day.
The couple went on to have three children, two girls Lorraine and Lynne, who are now 58 and 56 respectively, and son John the youngest at 45.
Grace worked on in the hospital for a while but when the children arrived she remained home to look after the family.
They enjoyed summer holidays abroad as well as visiting the seaside nearer home when their children were young, at places such as Troon, as well as going on caravan holidays.
“We also went to Butlin's many years ago,” said Grace.
John and Grace now have four grandchildren and two great grandchildren, with another due to arrive around Christmas time.
“It’s all boys, and it’s another boy on the way,” said Grace.
John admits he could be considered green-fingered and enjoyed nothing more than looking after the garden to relax in his spare time.
He still tries to do a bit in the garden but finds it a bit more difficult these days due to his mobility.
The couple enjoyed “an amazing night” with their family at their anniversary celebration party at the weekend, according to daughter Lynn.
"They didn't want anyone to buy presents for them so they asked for donations for the Beatson instead and raised £1000."
The pensioners rarely have cross words, with John happy to admit: “Grace is probably the stronger personality of the two of us but I’ve never known her to argue with anyone. She has a calming nature. I can’t really say we’ve ever fell out, but I’m a great believer that if you do, you should always make up before going to bed.”
Although Grace did add: “We do have our ups and downs like most couples.”
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